Key Tips for Getting Your Kids Back to School Safely

Right now, parents up and down the county are preparing to send their children back to school. In normal circumstances this can be a daunting experience however this year, in the midst of a global pandemic, parents are feeling increasingly anxious and worried about how their children will settle back into school, cope with the new safety measures and how heading into the new school year will affect their mental and physical wellbeing.

While it is amazing to see some semblance of normality coming back into our day to day lives, it is not clear what the new normal will look like for children or their parents. Here in Meaghers we understand the added pressure, anxiety and sense of unease that you may be feeling and we are here to help in any way we can. Here are a few top tips we have for preparing your child for a return to school.

Establish a Routine

Establishing the new routine a few days before school begins can be very affective. This includes sleeping schedules and night-time and morning routines - have them eat breakfast at the normal school time a few days before so they are in the habit and it will be an easier transition for you when school starts. Start bringing back bedtime to a regular time which will allow them to get up in the morning for school. If your child struggles with sleep a magnesium supplement can be beneficial. Check to see if there is magnesium in your child’s multivitamin or try Source of Life Animal Parade Mag which contains 90 cherry flavoured vegan chewable tablets.

Lunches

If they bring a packed lunch to school have a few of their favourite foods ready for their first few weeks to get them engaged in the process and explain the importance of eating healthy foods. Check the school’s policies about what foods are permitted and are not.

Encourage independence

If the child is younger maybe have them practice tying their shoes or writing their name and for older students talk to them about their responsibilities when they come home from school- set up a homework station and times to follow.

Immune Boosters

One way to start preparing your  kids for their return to the classroom is by boosting their immune systems. Multivitamins are a great way to enhance the vitamins and minerals kids get from their food. These are beneficial for all children but especially those who are fussy eaters. This will help to ensure vitamins or minerals levels are boosted in the body if they are low or missing from their diet. Zinc and vitamin B1 (thiamine) can also help to enhance appetite as deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to poor appetite. We have chosen some of our top products to help supplement their diet and best protect their immune systems.

Revive Active

Ensure your child is getting all the nutrients they need by using a super supplement like Revive Active Junior. Revive Junior is for 5-12 years and is packed with ingredients to support a growing child’s physical and psychological needs. It contains a range of vitamins and minerals as well as the Wellmune complex. This is a complex that helps to stimulate the immune system so that it is primed to act should the body come in to contact with bacteria or viruses. It contains 20 sachets and is formulated to be easily taken in the morning with water, juice or food. The dosage is one sachet daily but it is sufficient to take this product five days a week, fitting nicely into the Monday-Friday school routine. There is also a teen version from 13-18 years with higher concentrations of vitamins and minerals in it for the older age groups.Sambucol

Sambucol for kids is a liquid immune booster which contains elderberry and vitamin C. It is suitable from one year of age. Sambucol also has a forte liquid which has both zinc and vitamin C for the immune system which is suitable from 3 years of age. These are great products to help boost your child’s immune system.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D supplements are very beneficial for healthy bones and teeth, and there also has been some evidence of improved COVID-19 recovery in patients with adequate vitamin D levels. Most of the vitamin D in our bodies is produced from sunlight on our skin which can be in short supply in Ireland! A supplement is a great way to top up our natural levels.

Vitamin D sprays are a great way to give children a vitamin D supplement if they are fussy about taking liquids or gummies. The BetterYou DLux Junior 400IU (10micrograms) is suitable for 3 years plus and provides the recommended level of vitamin D for children. It is a peppermint flavour which is generally well received by children and it is vegetarian friendly.If your child prefers a tablet Bioactive D-Pearls Junior are a good vitamin D supplement containing 5 micrograms of vitamin. This supplement is suitable from 2 years plus provided they are comfortable swallowing the small capsule.Omega 3s

Omega-3 fatty acids is our number one recommendation for school age children. They are a great supplement to support brain function which is perfect for getting those little minds back in school mode again! Eskimo-3 Kids food supplement which contains omega 3,6, and 9 plus vitamin D and vitamin E comes in orange or tutti fruity flavour and is suitable from 1 year. All omega 3 comes from sustainable sources and this is a great supplement if you want a mixture of omegas with the vitamins and minerals.Discussing Return to School

Start discussing their return to school with your kids. If your school has been in touch with their COVID-19 protocol discuss these with the children e.g. they may be required to use their own hand towel. Listen to their concerns and anxieties, keep conversations open and stay positive about the prospect of seeing their friends, having fun and learning new things. Discuss their routines like when school starts and ends, any rules regarding behaviour that you want them to observe and why. Reassure them that washing their hands, social distancing and using coughing and sneezing etiquette will help them play their part against the spread of COVID-19.

Encourage them by showing them how to properly sanitise their hands and how to sneeze and cough into their elbow or a tissue and dispose of it correctly. Our Back to School Hygiene Kits are available in store and online at meaghers.ie now and contain everything your little one will need returning to school:

• Hand sanitiser
• Tissues
• Antibacterial wipes
• Bamboo Cloth
• Handy Drawstring bag

If you have any queries or questions around what is best for your kids going back to school, do not hesitate to get in touch with your local Meaghers Pharmacy.